Flu, injuries slow Laker track drive

GORHAM — Lake Region’s high expectations heading into the Western Maine Conference indoor track & field championships last week had a set back due to the flu bug and some injuries.

But, the Lakers in attendance gave it their all and managed some strong results and numerous personal records (PRs).

Leading the team was Danica Chadwick and her 12 points. She set a PR in the trials of the hurdles (9.68) and nearly matched that in the finals (9.69). Her effort was good for second place in the event. Danica also placed fourth in the triple jump with a three-step leap of 30 feet, 2.5 inches.

Emily Colson also placed in two events. She edged Danica for third in the triple jump with a PR of 30 feet, 4 inches. Emily PRed in the 400 meters to place sixth (1:09.53). She closed her meet narrowly missing her PR in the 4x200 meter relay.

Sam DeSouza and Han Mei were the other high finishers for the Lakers, both placing second in their events.

Sam tossed the shot put 33 feet and 9 inches on her second throw of the competition for her top effort.

Han was the last qualifier (eighth) in the JR 55 meters with a time of 7.53. He thrived on the pressure of the final by blitzing to a PR of 7.28 seconds while getting second. Han also PRed in the long jump (15 feet 9 inches).

Three more Lakers placed in their main events. Thomas Noble placed sixth in the shot put based on his third round throw.

Maraia Nason was more suspenseful waiting until her final throw in the shot put. That throw placed her sixth and was a PR by 5 inches.

Catherine Christiansen was well back after one lap in the 400 meters. She battled back and caught two opponents just before the line to place fourth (1:05.24).

The other Laker points came from the JR boys’ 4x200 meter relay. Devyn Hatch, Tim Moore and Caleb Emery each ran PR splits and Cody Doucette ran a strong anchor leg. The boys were seeded 10th, but those fabulous splits pushed them to fifth in the event.

Leoni Kohnen, Ina Guzja and Julia Murch each had a great meet while getting two PRs. Leoni and Ina had significant PRs in the 55 meters. Leoni and Julia had PRs by over 0.25 seconds in the 200 meters. Julia and Ina had even bigger PRs for their 4x200 meter relay splits.

Up next: The teams will travel to Bates College on Saturday for the state championship. The meet begins at 10 a.m. (note time change).

The provisional qualifiers will not be announced until later this week, but the automatic qualifiers are: